Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu congratulated US President Barack Obama on Wednesday for winning a second term and said the strategic alliance between their two countries was "stronger than ever."
"I will continue to work with President Obama to ensure the interests that are vital for the security of Israel's citizens," Netanyahu said in a short written statement after Obama gave his victory speech.
Other Israeli officials and politicians from both the Right and the Left also weighed in on Obama's victory, most of them congratulating him but some questioning his commitment to the State of Israel.
Speaking during a press conference at Russia's Academy of Sciences in Moscow, President Shimon Peres said he believed Obama would "do everything he can to bring about peace in our time in the Middle East."
"He faced very serious challenges, including the Iranian threat, and I have no doubt that he will do everything he says he will do," Peres said of Obama's commitment to Israeli security. The Israeli president is the guest of Russian president Vladimir Putin on a three-day stay in Moscow. He is scheduled to conduct a working meeting with the Russian premier, in which the Iranian threat will be foremost on the agenda.
Defense Minister Ehud Barak congratulated Obama, and expressed confidence that the basis of the US relationship is support for the Jewish state's security. "I have no doubt that the Obama government will continue with its policy that is based on support for the security of Israel, and which strives to cope with the challenges the region places in front of all of us, while striving for progress in the peace process," Barak said.
"I believe that in the tradition of deep friendship and on the backdrop of shared experiences accumulated with President Obama we will be able to overcome any of our differences."
Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman expressed optimism that Obama's election victory would usher in four years of bilateral cooperation and friendship. "Together with President Obama we will continue to promote and safeguard the robust friendship between our countries and nations, which is based on shared values," he said. "We will continue to act together with the US for the strengthening of the State of Israel and for protecting its vital strategic interests."
Labor Party leader Shelly Yacimovich sent a letter of congratulations to US President Barack Obama, telling him "I have a lot of appreciation for your attempts to bring about change in American society, its agenda, and the values you promote - international values such as equality, fair economy, and accountability to citizens."
"I wish you lots of luck in your endeavors to advance the peace process and freedom around the world," she added.
Meretz Chairman Zahava Gal-On also congratulated US President Barack Obama on his reelection victory, triumphing a Leftist victory.
"The Left has won in America. The Left will win in Israel too if the public refuse to vote for the party that objects to peace; the party of Bibi [Binyamin Netanyahu] and Liberman."
Yair Lapid's Yesh Atid party congratulated Obama on winning a second term, and called on him to stand behind his promise to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. The party also called on Netanyahu to take immediate steps to "remedy the tattered relationship between himself and the leadership in Washington."
Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon praised Obama, saying "I congratulate President Obama and the American nation on [Obama's] reelection for a second term."
He added: "President Obama, in his second round, will be an excellent president for Israel."
Kadima MK Shlomo Molla attacked Netanyahu for what he alleged was an involvement in US elections, and hinted that the victory of the Left in the US would be mimicked in domestic Israeli elections.
"The prime minister hurt Israel with his arrogant and incomprehensible involvement [in US elections] on the side of Mitt Romney," he said. "In these elections America coped with questions that Republicans chose to ignore, including: the treatment of minorities, the strong vs. the weak, and the treatment of tycoons. Does that remind you of anything?"
"It's clear that the US election results will affect the Israeli election [results] and I hope the Right will do its homework here as well."
Deputy Knesset Speaker Danny Danon offered his congratulations to Obama on his reelection, but urged him to "change course" and visit Israel.
"It is my hope, and that of many Israelis, that the president resets his course relating to Israel and our region for the next four years," Danon said. "Rather than dictating ill-advised policies that endanger the well-being of America's only true ally in the Middle East, now is the time for President Obama to return to the wise and time-honored policy of 'zero daylight' between our respective nations."
Specifically, Danon urged the two-term president to focus on Iran "instead of wasting time and resources to impose housing zoning laws on Israel," a reference to disagreements over settlement policies.
Danon, who toured the US over the summer to promote his book criticizing the president, also called on Obama to visit Israel.
Shas MK Ariel Atias welcomed US President Barack Obama's election victory, saying the results indicated that government must be accountable for the economically vulnerable citizens.
"The struggle in this election was about economic policy vis-à-vis citizens, and president Obama's victory in this regard shows that the weak sectors demand that government won't neglect them," he said.
Meanwhile, opposition leader Shaul Mofaz congratulated US President Barack Obama on his re-election on Wednesday morning, calling for enormous levels of cooperation between Israel and the US.
"The common challenges facing us are tremendous, and the level of cooperation required is huge," Mofaz stated.
He added: "I am convinced that President Obama and the American people will continue to stand by Israel as real allies with shared values ​​and goals. The US is a true friend of Israel and there is a need to improve relations and strengthen cooperation."